There are a variety of reason why nails lift, and many of them are
the result of improper application methods. Make sure that you follow
all of the application steps correctly, and if you are still having
lifting problems it may just be that you need a little extra help
with an additional product like the IBD Dehydrate. First read all of
the handy hints below. Hopefully you will recognise where you might
be going wrong.

Don't use too much Bonder. The nail should not look shiny
after applying the bonder. If it does, gently dab the nail with a
clean nail wipe so that you have a matt grainy appearance. Using too
much Bonder can be the main reason for lifting. For extreme lifting
you can cure the Bonder for 3 minutes.

While preparing your nails make sure thay you file the entire
nail in one direction only. The entire surface should have the shine
removed. Take special care to file all nail edges.

Make sure that all nail and gel filings are removed with
Cleanser Plus and a Nail Wipe before applying Bonder. The nail must
be thoroughly clean, dry and particle free.

When you first start preparing your nails you use Nail Prep
Spray, which not only sanitises your nails but also dehydrates them
a little. This is an important step. Some people however might need
a little more help to dehydrate their nails. This might be because
your have particularly oily nail beds, have your hands regularly in
water (from swimming, washing dishes etc), or it could just be a
temporary change like pregnancy that is effecting how well your
nails stay on. You have a couple of options if this is the case. You
can use a stronger nail primer, like those that are used for acrylic
nails, or you can use IBD Dehydrate. IBD Dehydrate is a quick and
effective product which is simply brushed on 3 to 4 seconds before
you apply your Bonder. It doesn't need to be cured.

Ensure that after applying the gel you run around the nail
edge with a Cuticle Pusher, or any other object with a pointed end
like a tooth pick, to ensure that the gel hasn't run onto the skin.
Confine your application to the nail plate only. Gel cured on your
cuticles or surrounding skin will cause lifting.

Don't apply the gel too thinly at the edge of the nail. (see
handy hint on 'Nails Cracking')

Make sure you use a top coat and cap the end and edges of the
nail. This will help prevent moisture seeping between the natural
nail and gel layer.

If you are applying gel polish you must use a topcoat. (see
handy hint on 'Coloured Gel Polish is peeling')

Use gloves when washing up and house cleaning.

Gel Nails Cracking

If your nails are cracking it is probably because you have not
applied the gel thickly enough, particularly on the sidewalls. If you
have applied the gel too thinly you can reinforce it by applying a
string of Clear or Builder Gel. This is done in the same way that you
would reinforce Builder Gel at the join for french tips. You dip the
tip of your brush into the gel pot and lift if vertically upwards.
You should then be left with a floating string of gel. Place this
string of gel on the thin or stressed area (without touching the
actual brush to your nail) and then allow it to self-level. Now
immediatly cure the nail to prevent the gel running onto your skin.
If it has, run around the nail edge with a Cuticle Pusher, or any
other object with a pointed end like a tooth pick before curing.

NB# If you have been using Clear Gel try using Clear Builder Gel
instead as it has extra strength and will be easier to achieve
thicker layers.